This Meridian, Mississippi Restaurant Has Been Feeding Families Since 1870, And Kids Earn Treasure Chest Prizes For Good Manners

Hunger hit hard somewhere in east Mississippi, and the only plan was to find lunch fast. What turned up instead was a brick-walled dining room full of old photos, little crocks of peanut butter on every table, and kids leaning over menus like they were reading treasure maps.

It felt less like a quick stop and more like stepping into a family album that keeps adding new pages. Here is what makes this long-running Southern restaurant such an easy, memorable pick for families on the road.

A Downtown Landmark on 22nd Avenue

Right in the heart of downtown Meridian, at 210 22nd Ave, sits a restaurant that many locals simply call a community staple. Weidmann’s is a Southern restaurant known for comfort food, brick walls, and a history that stretches back further than most families can trace their own trees.

For travelers, the location is handy. Meridian sits along major routes, and plenty of guests mention stopping in while driving between bigger cities, heading to the beach, or coming home from New Orleans.

That makes it an easy lunch or dinner break when the kids need to stretch their legs and the adults need a real meal instead of another drive-through bag.

Families walking up will notice the building first. It belongs to the Meridian Downtown Historic District, so the street around it has an old-town feel that is fun to explore before or after eating.

Kids can spot old brickwork and window details while parents hunt for parking.

Inside, the place is part museum and part dining room. Several areas spread across the building, including upstairs spaces, so a visit can feel like a small adventure.

Even a short meal here gives children a sense that they have stepped somewhere with a story to tell.

Swiss Roots Dating Back to 1870

Back in 1870, a Swiss immigrant named Felix Weidmann opened a small eatery in Meridian. He could not have guessed that his name would still hang over a dining room more than 150 years later.

That long run earns the restaurant a special title. It is known as the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Mississippi, a fact that tends to impress kids once they do the math.

Ask them to count how many grandparents ago 1870 was, and the conversation at the table gets lively fast.

The business stayed in the family for generations. Felix’s grandson, Henry Weidmann, later guided it through a big move, and the recipes and habits built during those years shaped what diners still see today.

Some traditions began out of necessity, while others grew from guests who kept coming back and offering ideas.

Today, current owner Charles Frazier has spoken about restoring the restaurant’s historic roots and culinary heritage. His goal blends classic recipes with a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere, which is good news for parents who want both character and ease.

History here is not locked behind glass. It shows up on the plates, the walls, and even the small crocks waiting on each table.

The 1923 Move Into Brick-Walled Digs

Picture downtown Meridian in 1923, when Henry Weidmann moved the family restaurant to its current home on 22nd Avenue. That building has been feeding families ever since, and its exposed brick walls still set the tone the moment you walk through the door.

Guests often say the interior is genuinely interesting to look around. The space was remodeled within the last decade, giving it a polished, beautiful feel without wiping away the old character.

Brick, wood, and warm light make it feel cozy rather than stuffy.

For families, the layout is a plus. Different areas sit throughout the restaurant, so a larger group might land in one room while a couple sits elsewhere, and nobody feels crammed together.

Visitors mention enjoying simply walking through the different spaces to see what each one holds.

The building’s place in the Meridian Downtown Historic District also matters. Kids learning about local history in school can see a real example of a structure that has stayed useful for a century.

Parents who like a little education mixed into road trips will appreciate that lesson arriving alongside lunch, with no worksheets required and plenty of good food to keep everyone cheerful.

Peanut Butter Crocks on Every Table

Sit down, and before any menus get serious attention, you will spot a little handmade crock filled with peanut butter beside a stack of crackers. First-timers are often caught by surprise, and then pleasantly hooked once they spread some on a cracker.

The custom started in the 1940s during World War II. Butter was scarce, and a guest suggested peanut butter as a stand-in.

The idea stuck so well that it never left, and some regulars still tell slightly different versions of the story, which only adds to the fun.

Local potters craft the distinctive crocks, so each one connects the meal to Meridian artisans. Kids tend to love this part most.

It gives restless little hands something to do while orders are being prepared, and it works as an easy snack for picky eaters who are wary of new foods.

Warm rolls and butter often follow, so pace the crackers if you want room for dinner. Parents traveling with a child who has a peanut allergy should mention it to the server right away, since the crocks arrive at the table by default.

Otherwise, settle in and enjoy one of the most charming welcomes in Southern dining.

Burgers and Simple Plates for Young Eaters

Let’s be honest about the headline. Historical accounts do not confirm that the burgers here have been cooked one exact way since 1924, but the building has been serving hungry families since the year before that, and the burger still holds its own.

One large group that sampled ten different dishes singled out a friend’s burger as the best plate on the table. For parents, that is useful information.

When kids balk at shrimp, cabbage, or anything unfamiliar, a burger with fresh seasoned fries is a safe and satisfying fallback.

Other simple picks round out the options. Guests mention enjoying a BLT, a spicy chicken sandwich, and catfish, all of which tend to land well with younger diners or teens with big appetites.

Sweet tea, which visitors describe as very good, pairs nicely with any of them.

Portions can run large, so sharing is a smart move. Some guests say a single order fed them two or even three times over.

A family of four might split a couple of mains and save money and room for pie. That flexibility makes the menu friendly to both adventurous eaters and kids who just want something familiar and filling.

Shrimp and Grits, Crab Cakes and Southern Classics

Fried green tomatoes show up on nearly every table, usually drizzled with a sauce guests rave about. They make a great shared starter, crispy enough to tempt kids who have never tried a tomato cooked this way.

Shrimp and grits are another frequent favorite. Visitors describe generous amounts of shrimp, sausage, and seared grape tomatoes, with just enough spice to wake things up.

Even diners who claim not to like grits have been talked into a bite and ended up pleasantly surprised.

Crab cakes are among the most mentioned dishes, sometimes stacked with a fried green tomato. Other Southern standbys include hoppin john, redfish topped with shrimp and a spicy sauce, catfish Belvedere, gumbo, and a well-loved house 1870 sauce.

Steak and filet also appear on many orders, often praised for being cooked just right.

Families with older kids can treat this as a tasting lesson in regional cooking. Let each person order something different, then pass plates around the table.

It turns dinner into a game of discovery, and everyone leaves knowing a bit more about what Mississippi tastes like. Younger children can always fall back on crackers and a simpler plate if the spice level runs too high.

Black Bottom Pie and Peanut Butter Pie

Save room. That is the advice most likely to be repeated at your table once dessert menus appear, because the pies here carry as much history as the building.

Black Bottom Pie is the famous one. Its recipe dates to the 1940s and has stayed unchanged, built on a chocolate bottom, finished with homemade meringue, and topped with chocolate shavings.

Guests describe it as silky, the kind of ending that makes a long drive feel well spent.

Peanut butter pie, though, is the most talked-about item of all, mentioned more than any other dish. It ties neatly back to those crocks on the table, and many diners call it the highlight of their meal.

Kids who loved the crackers usually fall hard for this one.

Other sweets include bananas foster and pecan bread pudding, which offer variety for families who like to sample. A smart plan for groups is to order one of each pie and pass forks around.

Everyone gets a taste, nobody ends up stuffed, and the kids get to cast their vote on which famous pie wins. Expect debates to continue in the car long after you leave the parking lot.

Photo-Lined Walls Full of Local Stories

Look up from your plate and you will find decades staring back. The walls are covered with photographs of notable guests, longtime employees, and everyday Meridian locals, creating a visual timeline of the restaurant’s long life.

Historical items join the photos throughout the dining areas. Visitors often mention how fun it is to wander and see the pictures and objects in each room, and children tend to treat it like a scavenger hunt.

Challenge them to find the oldest-looking photo or spot someone wearing a funny hat.

For parents, this is a low-effort way to sneak in some learning. Kids can ask questions about how people dressed, what cars looked like, or how the street outside has changed.

The images make abstract dates like 1870 and 1923 feel real and personal.

Timing helps. Visiting between the lunch and dinner rush, when the dining room is calmer, gives families more freedom to stroll and look without bumping into busy servers.

Some guests who stopped in mid-afternoon say they had nearly the whole place to themselves. That quiet window turns a regular meal into a relaxed mini museum tour, with dessert waiting at the end.

Treasure Chest Rewards for Good Manners

Here is a detail parents will love. Weidmann’s keeps a treasure chest stocked with candies and small prizes for children who show good manners during their meal.

Few things motivate a tired eight-year-old quite like the promise of a prize. Mention the chest early, perhaps while everyone spreads peanut butter on crackers, and watch napkins land in laps and voices drop to indoor levels.

It turns polite behavior into a fun goal rather than a constant reminder from mom or dad.

The restaurant describes the idea as part of creating a memorable experience for every generation. That intention shows.

Grandparents can share stories about the old days while grandchildren earn their reward, and the whole table feels included rather than split between grown-up time and kid time.

Service also plays a role in family comfort. Guests regularly describe staff as kind, attentive, and quick to greet and seat them, and front-of-house managers sometimes stop by to check in.

When the team is friendly, kids relax, and so do the adults. Pair that warmth with a little treasure at the end, and even the pickiest young traveler is likely to ask when the family can come back again.

Hours, Phone Number and Planning Tips

Planning ahead keeps hungry kids happy. Weidmann’s opens at 11 AM Monday through Thursday and closes at 9 PM on those days.

Friday and Saturday hours stretch later, from 11 AM to 10 PM, which helps families arriving after a long drive.

Sunday is different. The restaurant serves from 10 AM to 2 PM, making it a good choice for a late-morning family meal before hitting the road again.

Plan around that early closing so nobody ends up disappointed.

For reservations or questions about allergies, seating, or large groups, call +1 601-581-5770. The website, weidmanns1870.com, offers more details about the menu and history.

A quick call before arriving with a big party can save waiting time.

Price expectations matter too. Lunch sandwiches and shared plates keep costs manageable, while dinner entrees can reach the mid-forties per plate, so ordering family style helps stretch a budget.

The address is 210 22nd Ave, Meridian, MS 39301, right downtown and easy to find from the interstate. Families staying overnight in Meridian can walk the surrounding historic district after dinner.

Afternoon visits between meal rushes often mean faster seating, quieter rooms, and more time to explore the photos.